Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: “Be Humble, Keep a Low Profile”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Grand Elder suggests an idea that Chen Changan and Qi Sect Master had overlooked. Rather than criticizing him, Chen praises the insight and uses it to emphasize the importance of collective decision-making.
• Chen declares that the Heavenly Profound Sect must not be ruled by a single person. Everyone should speak up and correct mistakes, regardless of his special status.
• He urges Qi Sect Master and the Grand Elder to avoid rushing the sect’s expansion. The Heavenly Profound Sect needs time to consolidate its gains and develop steadily.
• Chen warns that increased power and status can change people’s hearts, reminding the others that ambition and human nature must be handled carefully.
• The Tiger Roar Alliance arrives and surrounds the Heavenly Profound Sect, demanding that it abandon the Forgetfulness River and surrender its territory. They also demand that Chen be handed over.
• The Alliance Leader initially underestimates Chen because of his apparent second-level Ultimate Immortal Ascension Realm cultivation. Chen mocks him with a deliberately absurd name and playful wordplay, provoking him.
• Qi Sect Master pretends to agree to hand Chen over, causing the Alliance Leader to mistakenly believe the Heavenly Profound Sect has submitted.
• Da Huang insults the Tiger Roar Alliance and refuses to back down. When the Alliance members threaten to kill and eat him, he attacks them with a single paw strike, revealing power far beyond his apparent cultivation.
• The chapter ends as Da Huang calls on Zhan Tian to join him in fighting the Alliance.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan demonstrates humility and open-minded leadership by acknowledging the Grand Elder’s contribution and encouraging criticism. Despite advocating caution and a low profile, he remains sarcastic, confident, and provocative when confronting enemies.
• Qi Sect Master and the Grand Elder increasingly accept Chen as the Heavenly Profound Sect’s de facto leader. They are inspired by his vision but are reminded not to become arrogant as the sect grows stronger.
• The Tiger Roar Alliance Leader is arrogant and overconfident. He assumes the Heavenly Profound Sect is weak, misinterprets Qi Sect Master’s feigned agreement, and is humiliated by Chen’s mockery.
• Da Huang acts as an aggressive and irreverent defender of the sect. His crude taunts conceal overwhelming strength, as shown by his devastating opening attack.
• Zhan Tian is summoned to fight alongside Da Huang, setting up the next confrontation.

Significant Themes

• Collective wisdom: Even capable leaders have blind spots, so important decisions should be discussed openly.
• Humility and self-restraint: Chen stresses that growth must be steady and that power and status can corrupt people if they are not careful.
• Appearance versus reality: Chen and Da Huang appear weak or unserious, but both possess far greater influence or strength than their enemies realize.
• Arrogance and misjudgment: The Tiger Roar Alliance’s confidence comes from underestimating the Heavenly Profound Sect, leading it into a trap.
• Leadership and changing power dynamics: Chen’s authority has been naturally accepted by the sect, showing the organization’s growing trust in him.

Character Interactions

• Chen reassures the embarrassed Grand Elder and turns his mistake into a lesson about cooperation.
• Chen warns both Qi Sect Master and the Grand Elder that rising power may affect their character.
• Chen sarcastically exchanges words with the Tiger Roar Alliance Leader, baiting him into revealing his arrogance.
• Qi Sect Master deliberately misleads the Alliance Leader by appearing willing to surrender Chen.
• Da Huang verbally clashes with the Alliance members, escalating the confrontation before attacking them and exposing their mistaken assumptions about his strength.

Chapter Summary: “Facing One’s Own Problems”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After Da Huang calls for action, Zhan Tian joins him in attacking the Tiger Roar Alliance, with Chen Changan’s tacit approval.
• Chen Changan declares his intention to seize the Tiger Roar Alliance’s territory as “compensation” for their attack on the Heavenly Profound Sect.
• Before the Tiger Roar Alliance Leader can strike, Chen Changan kills him instantly. At the same time, Da Huang and Zhan Tian slaughter the invading forces with overwhelming ease.
• The Tiger Roar Alliance’s assault ends almost immediately, shocking the Heavenly Profound Sect members, who had expected a major battle.
• The sect disciples praise Chen Changan’s unfathomable strength, though some debate whether he can truly be considered a top-tier powerhouse.
• Attention then turns to the Elder Council, particularly the outside rogue cultivators who failed to appear or help when the Tiger Roar Alliance attacked.
• Chen Changan summons the absent elders and publicly reprimands them for passively watching the sect suffer despite choosing to remain members.
• He dismisses every recruited rogue cultivator from the Elder Council. They acknowledge their failure, accept responsibility, and leave without resistance.
• Chen Changan asks the sect to examine why the Elder Council recruitment plan failed. Mu Yunyao identifies several problems, beginning with poor timing, insufficient ability, and the resulting lack of confidence in the sect.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan demonstrates overwhelming power and decisive leadership. He eliminates the Tiger Roar Alliance Leader effortlessly, protects the sect, and immediately deals with internal weakness rather than ignoring it.
• Zhan Tian shows growing loyalty and readiness to act under Chen Changan’s leadership by joining Da Huang in battle without hesitation.
• Da Huang remains aggressive and proactive, helping destroy the invading forces.
• The recruited rogue cultivator elders are exposed as cowardly and self-interested. Though they did not abandon the sect outright, they refused to risk themselves or offer support, proving unworthy of their positions.
• Mu Yunyao displays insight and analytical ability by identifying structural flaws in the sect’s recruitment strategy.
• The Heavenly Profound Sect members become more confident in Chen Changan while also developing resentment toward the inactive Elder Council.

Significant Themes

• Leadership and accountability: Chen Changan insists that choices have consequences and that members must actively support the organization they belong to.
• Loyalty under pressure: The crisis reveals who is genuinely committed to the sect and who is merely benefiting from its protection and resources.
• Strength versus confidence: The rogue elders’ hesitation stems partly from their inability to recognize or trust the sect’s rapidly growing power.
• Institutional self-reflection: Rather than blaming only the dismissed elders, Chen Changan examines whether the Elder Council system itself was created or implemented incorrectly.
• Rapid growth and adaptation: The sect’s development has outpaced its original structures and personnel, creating problems that must be addressed before further expansion.
• Consequences of inaction: Remaining neutral during a crisis is treated as a meaningful choice, one that carries the same weight as openly abandoning the sect.

Character Interactions

• Chen Changan silently authorizes Zhan Tian to fight alongside Da Huang, reinforcing their mutual understanding and trust.
• He taunts the Tiger Roar Alliance Leader by framing the alliance’s defeat and territory seizure as a “return gift.”
• The sect members discuss Chen Changan’s strength, revealing both admiration and curiosity about his true limits.
• Chen Changan confronts the Elder Council directly, forcing its members to face the judgment of the sect.
• The dismissed elders offer apologies and regret but admit that their earlier choices cannot be undone.
• Chen Changan works with Mu Yunyao to guide the sect toward a deeper discussion of its internal problems, ending the chapter as she begins outlining the third flaw in the Elder Council plan.

Summary: “United Punitive Expedition”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mu Yunyao analyzes the Heavenly Profound Sect’s weaknesses for Qi Sect Master and the other leaders.
• She identifies three major problems:
  1. Poor timing,
  2. Insufficient strength,
  3. Overly gentle methods.
• Mu Yunyao argues that the sect has relied too heavily on its reputation and has allowed other forces to take advantage of its restraint.
• She explains that Chen Changan’s decision to let members of the Carefree Abode and Exquisite Grotto leave was deliberate. His approach combined toughness with mercy:
  • It demonstrated that the sect was powerful without being bloodthirsty.
  • It spread news of the Heavenly Profound Sect’s strength.
  • It warned that unreliable members would be expelled.
• Mu Yunyao assures the leaders that the sect’s foundations and rules are sound. With Chen Changan and the other powerful figures serving as “living signboards,” the sect has the potential to expand beyond the River of Forgetfulness Territory.
• After the Tiger Roar Alliance’s defeat, additional hostile forces attack the Heavenly Profound Sect and are also destroyed.
• The sect openly publicizes these victories, causing rumors and fear to spread throughout the surrounding territories.
• Some observers believe the sect is rising, while others predict that its growing arrogance and enemies will lead to its downfall.
• Seeking revenge and hoping to reclaim their reputation, various forces unite into a coalition of twenty factions and prepare to launch a joint assault on the Heavenly Profound Sect.

Character Developments

• Mu Yunyao emerges as a sharp strategist and adviser. She clearly understands the sect’s political and structural weaknesses and advocates a balance between firmness and mercy.
• Qi Sect Master and the other leaders recognize that their traditional leniency has encouraged others to exploit the sect. They become more willing to adopt a tougher policy and accept Mu Yunyao’s guidance.
• Chen Changan is portrayed as a calculated and influential leader. His seemingly merciful treatment of former members was actually part of a broader strategy to strengthen the sect’s reputation and establish authority.
• The Heavenly Profound Sect’s leadership gains confidence as they realize that the sect’s recent troubles are also opportunities for growth.

Significant Themes

• Strength versus weakness: Kindness without firmness is interpreted as weakness, especially in a world governed by “the weak are meat and the strong eat.”
• Reputation and deterrence: A reputation is valuable only when supported by the willingness to act. Excessive restraint can invite challenges rather than prevent them.
• Balance between harshness and mercy: Chen Changan’s strategy shows that authority does not require indiscriminate brutality; controlled mercy can be politically useful.
• Growth through crisis: The sect’s conflicts expose its flaws but also help it demonstrate its hidden strength and expand its influence.
• Power and alliances: The formation of a twenty-faction coalition highlights how one rising power can threaten the existing balance and force former rivals to cooperate.

Character Interactions

• Mu Yunyao directly confronts Qi Sect Master and the other leaders about their overly passive methods.
• The leaders initially listen in silence but ultimately acknowledge that her criticisms are accurate.
• Mu Yunyao explains Chen Changan’s actions, helping the leaders understand that his decisions were strategic rather than merely punitive.
• The group agrees to remain patient, allowing more hostile forces to come to them before deciding when to expand.
• The wider world reacts collectively to the sect’s victories, with various factions debating whether the Heavenly Profound Sect is genuinely powerful or merely provoking its own destruction.

Chapter Summary: “Even Fifty Percent Is Still a Bargain”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The forces gathered in the River of Forgetfulness Territory have arrived, allowing Chen Changan and his allies to prepare for their next move: defeating them and expanding the Heavenly Profound Sect’s influence.
• Da Huang is unusually enthusiastic because he wants to inspect brothels in other territories as part of his dream of opening brothels across the entire All Heavens and Myriad Worlds. Zhan Tian becomes excited by the same ambition, and the two bond over it.
• Chen Changan dismisses their distractions and orders Wang Ba to inform Qi Sect Master that the sect should prepare for expansion once their enemies are eliminated.
• Qi Sect Master summons the sect’s leaders to discuss future expansion and the Heavenly Profound Sect’s obligations toward Chen Changan and his companions.
• He proposes giving Chen Changan and his group fifty percent of all resources obtained through the sect’s expansion, while the remaining half stays with the sect.
• The sect members unanimously accept the proposal, recognizing that even half of the resources gained from expanding across numerous territories would greatly exceed what the sect currently possesses.
• Qi Sect Master warns the sect not to become overly dependent on Chen Changan. He urges everyone to strengthen themselves so the Heavenly Profound Sect can survive and prosper even after Chen Changan eventually leaves.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan remains focused and practical, ignoring Da Huang and Zhan Tian’s absurd business ambitions while directing the sect’s strategic expansion.
• Da Huang reveals his grand ambition to become the greatest brothel owner in existence. His enthusiasm suggests that his priorities are increasingly eccentric and pleasure-oriented.
• Zhan Tian is drawn into Da Huang’s scheme, showing a more playful and restless side. Their interaction strengthens their friendship and amplifies Zhan Tian’s impulsive tendencies.
• Qi Sect Master demonstrates political foresight and gratitude. He understands that the sect’s prosperity is largely due to Chen Changan and wants to repay him materially rather than through honorary titles.
• The Heavenly Profound Sect’s leaders acknowledge their dependence on Chen Changan but also realize that relying entirely on him has made them complacent. They resolve to cultivate harder and become strong enough to match the sect’s rising status.

Significant Themes

• Gratitude and fair compensation: The sect recognizes that Chen Changan and his companions are responsible for its growth, so sharing half of all future resources is considered a worthwhile investment rather than a loss.
• The danger of dependence: Qi Sect Master emphasizes that external protection cannot replace the sect’s own strength. Prosperity built solely on another person’s power is unstable.
• Ambition and expansion: The Heavenly Profound Sect is preparing to move beyond its current territory and establish itself across many regions.
• Comedic contrast: Da Huang and Zhan Tian’s ridiculous brothel empire plans provide comic relief amid serious discussions of conquest, resources, and sect survival.
• Self-reliance: The chapter stresses that status must be supported by genuine strength; otherwise, the sect’s elevated position could eventually lead to its destruction.

Important Character Interactions

• Da Huang and Zhan Tian enthusiastically encourage each other’s dream of opening brothels throughout the myriad worlds, while Chen Changan watches helplessly.
• Chen Changan and Wang Ba: Chen Changan gives Wang Ba the order to notify Qi Sect Master about preparing for expansion.
• Qi Sect Master and the sect elders: Qi presents the fifty-percent resource-sharing proposal and reminds everyone that Chen Changan will not remain with the sect forever.
• Qi Sect Master and the sect as a whole: His warning shifts the group from complacency toward renewed determination to cultivate and become self-sufficient.

Chapter Summary: “The Crusade Alliance Arrives”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan and Da Huang discuss Heavenly Profound Sect’s recent increase in activity. Chen explains that the sect must grow steadily rather than expand too quickly, and that he does not want it to become dependent on him.
• They learn that the Crusade Alliance—an organization formed by twenty factions and consisting of more than ten thousand cultivators—is approaching Heavenly Profound Sect.
• Chen Changan and his companions leave to intercept the alliance before it reaches the sect.
• The alliance encounters Chen Changan, Wang Ba, and Guan Ao blocking their path. The alliance members mock Heavenly Profound Sect for sending only a few people and assume they are being arrogant.
• Chen provokes them by pointing out that none of their forces includes an Ultimate True Immortal Realm cultivator. He emphasizes that such experts are only considered unreachable because these factions are too weak and isolated to understand the wider world.
• Chen then declares that Heavenly Profound Sect intends to defeat the alliance and eventually take over all their territories, shocking and angering the alliance members.
• One alliance member attacks Chen, but Wang Ba and Guan Ao easily intercept him. Despite being only at the Second Stage of the Ultimate Immortal Ascension Realm, they withstand the full-force attack of a Fourth Stage cultivator.
• The alliance leader stops the attacker from continuing and begins reassessing Chen’s group. Impressed by Wang Ba and Guan Ao’s talent, he starts considering recruiting them rather than immediately fighting.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan: Demonstrates strategic patience and confidence. He wants Heavenly Profound Sect to develop independently and avoids reckless expansion, but he is also openly ambitious about conquering the alliance’s territories. His calm provocations reveal his supreme confidence in his own strength and in the abilities of his subordinates.
• Da Huang: Acts as Chen’s conversational companion and supports his plans. He provides information about the alliance’s movements and readily follows Chen into action.
• Wang Ba and Guan Ao: Prove that their apparent cultivation levels do not reflect their true combat ability. Their effortless defense against a stronger opponent establishes them as exceptionally talented and loyal protectors of Chen.
• Crusade Alliance Leader: Initially confident and dismissive, he becomes cautious after witnessing Wang Ba and Guan Ao’s strength. His attitude shifts from preparing to attack to considering recruitment.
• Crusade Alliance members: Begin the encounter arrogant and mocking, but their confidence is shaken by Chen’s remarks and the unexpected strength of his servants.

Significant Themes

• Steady growth versus dependence: Chen stresses that Heavenly Profound Sect must expand gradually and learn to manage its own power rather than relying entirely on him.
• Strength and perspective: The chapter contrasts the alliance’s limited regional worldview with Chen’s broader understanding of Ultimate Heaven. What seems impossibly powerful to them is portrayed as relatively common elsewhere.
• Underestimating opponents: The alliance assumes that Chen’s small group is weak, only to discover that Wang Ba and Guan Ao can defeat opponents of much higher cultivation.
• Confidence and intimidation: Chen uses calmness, provocative statements, and bold ambitions to destabilize the alliance before the battle even begins.
• Talent and recruitment: The alliance leader recognizes that exceptional individuals are rare and may be more valuable as allies or recruits than as enemies.

Character Interactions

• Chen and Da Huang discuss Heavenly Profound Sect’s development and the approaching alliance, revealing their strategic priorities.
• Chen directly taunts the alliance leader and its members, questioning their strength and mocking their lack of Ultimate True Immortal Realm experts.
• The alliance members respond with ridicule and anger, especially when Chen claims Heavenly Profound Sect will seize their territories.
• Wang Ba and Guan Ao defend Chen without hesitation, demonstrating their loyalty and serving as a barrier between him and the alliance.
• The alliance leader intervenes to prevent a second attack, beginning a more cautious and potentially diplomatic interaction after recognizing the pair’s unusual abilities.

Chapter Summary: The Strongest One Ran Away

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Crusade Alliance’s leader praises Wang Ba and Guan Ao, recognizing their extraordinary strength and assuming their master, Chen Changan, must be even more powerful.
• He attempts to recruit them by belittling the Heavenly Profound Sect and promising greater resources and protection.
• Chen Changan and Da Huang mock the alliance leader’s understanding of talent, insisting that Wang Ba and Guan Ao are not merely geniuses but “freaks,” while even ordinary freaks are insignificant compared with Chen Changan.
• Chen Changan rejects the recruitment offer and insults the Crusade Alliance, claiming that although Heavenly Profound Sect is small, the alliance is even less impressive.
• Angered by Chen Changan’s refusal, the alliance leader orders his followers to attack.
• Mu Yunyao and the others completely overwhelm the Crusade Alliance. Their strength—especially Mu Yunyao’s—far exceeds the alliance’s expectations.
• Chen Changan remains in the background, confident that his companions can handle the battle. Xiao Hei offers to help, but Chen Changan initially refuses.
• As defeat becomes inevitable, the alliance leader abandons his followers and flees.
• Chen Changan intercepts him, criticizing him for sacrificing his own people to save himself.
• The alliance leader shamelessly claims that his followers were obligated to die for him.
• Disgusted, Xiao Hei asks to kill him. Chen Changan permits Xiao Hei to act, terrifying the alliance leader because Xiao Hei appears to have no cultivation—raising the possibility that he is simply too powerful to be detected.
• The alliance leader immediately surrenders and begs for his life.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan: Displays overwhelming confidence, sharp sarcasm, and strong loyalty to Heavenly Profound Sect. He refuses to be manipulated or intimidated and deliberately lets his disciples handle the battle, intervening only when the alliance leader tries to escape.
• Wang Ba and Guan Ao: Their reputation as exceptionally powerful “freaks” is reinforced, even though their cultivation levels remain comparatively low.
• Mu Yunyao: Emerges as a major combat force, surprising the Crusade Alliance with her overwhelming strength.
• Da Huang: Continues to act as Chen Changan’s outspoken supporter, proudly emphasizing the vast difference between ordinary geniuses and Chen Changan’s followers.
• Xiao Hei: Shows growing initiative and a willingness to fight for Chen Changan. His apparently nonexistent cultivation conceals a potentially terrifying power that frightens the alliance leader.
• Crusade Alliance Leader: Reveals himself to be cowardly, selfish, and hypocritical. Despite presenting himself as a powerful leader offering opportunities, he abandons his followers as soon as victory seems impossible.

Significant Themes

• True strength versus labels: The chapter distinguishes between ordinary geniuses and Chen Changan’s followers, portraying them as abnormal talents who exceed conventional standards.
• Loyalty and belonging: Chen Changan and his companions willingly defend Heavenly Profound Sect, not because they were ordered to, but because they personally choose to protect it.
• Cowardice versus responsibility: The alliance leader’s abandonment of his followers contrasts sharply with the loyalty and unity of Chen Changan’s group.
• Power hidden beneath appearances: Xiao Hei appears to possess no cultivation, yet his presence alone may conceal overwhelming strength.
• Opportunities must be earned: Chen Changan rejects the alliance leader’s claim that he can “give” them opportunities, arguing that meaningful opportunities are fought for rather than passively awaited.

Character Interactions

• The alliance leader attempts to flatter and recruit Wang Ba and Guan Ao, but Chen Changan and Da Huang ridicule his assumptions.
• Chen Changan verbally humiliates the alliance leader by declaring the Crusade Alliance inferior to Heavenly Profound Sect.
• Mu Yunyao and the others fight as a coordinated group, decisively defeating the alliance forces.
• The alliance members turn on their fleeing leader, condemning him for abandoning them.
• Chen Changan confronts the leader directly and challenges his selfish justification for sacrificing his followers.
• Xiao Hei condemns the alliance leader’s behavior and asks permission to kill him; Chen Changan grants it, causing the leader to surrender in terror.

Chapter Summary

Defeat of the Crusade Alliance

Chen Changan’s group completely annihilates the invading Crusade Alliance. Xiao Hei casually kills the Alliance Leader with less than ten percent of his strength, revealing that his true power remains difficult to gauge. Chen Changan allows Da Huang, Mu Yunyao, and the others to handle the remaining enemies so they can gain combat experience against experts from Ultimate Heaven.

Team dynamics and character interactions

Da Huang jokingly complains that Chen Changan rarely lets them fight, while Chen explains that they need experience against unfamiliar opponents. Mu Yunyao teases Chen for treating them like “lucky charms,” and Da Huang eagerly encourages the playful argument. Chen silences him by threatening to prevent him from visiting brothels, prompting Da Huang to immediately apologize and prioritize returning home.

Heavenly Profound Sect’s reaction

The group’s safe return causes the Heavenly Profound Sect to celebrate. Their overwhelming victory inspires the sect’s disciples to cultivate harder, as they no longer want to remain weak or become a burden to Chen Changan and his companions. The battle also gives the sect confidence that it can begin expanding its influence.

Grand Elder and Qi Sect Master’s resolve

The Grand Elder announces that he will enter seclusion to pursue a breakthrough. He recognizes that Chen Changan may eventually leave, so the Heavenly Profound Sect must develop its own leaders capable of protecting it. He urges Qi Sect Master to work equally hard, and Qi promises not to disappoint the sect.

Discussion of expansion

After returning, Chen Changan and Qi Sect Master begin considering how to expand the Heavenly Profound Sect’s territory. Before making plans, Chen raises a more fundamental issue: the sect appears to have no alchemists or pill resources.

The mystery of alchemy and pill formulas

Chen is surprised because he has seen people possess pills, including Boundary-Breaking Pills, despite their low cultivation. Qi Sect Master explains that pills are exceptionally rare in the Forgetfulness River because there are no known alchemists or surviving pill formulas. Alchemy itself is not necessarily impossible, but without inherited formulas, even skilled practitioners cannot refine pills properly. The chapter ends with the revelation that pill knowledge is being deliberately monopolized, setting up a larger conflict involving the control of alchemy and its inheritance.

Key Themes

• Continuous growth and humility: Past victories do not guarantee future success; combatants must continue learning and adapting.
• Leadership and succession: The Heavenly Profound Sect must become self-sufficient before Chen Changan eventually departs.
• Inspiration through strength: Chen Changan’s power motivates others to improve rather than remain dependent on him.
• Scarcity and monopoly: The lack of pill formulas suggests that powerful resources are being controlled by a hidden faction, creating a new mystery and potential source of conflict.

Chapter Summary: “Such an Overbearing Style”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan listens to the Qi Sect Master explain the history of the Alchemist Alliance.
• Long ago, an extraordinarily talented alchemist transformed Ultimate Heaven by creating powerful pills that caused the number of experts to increase dramatically—possibly by several dozen times.
• This alchemy genius founded the Alchemist Alliance, which eventually gathered alchemists from across Ultimate Heaven and monopolized all pill formulas.
• The Alliance became indispensable to powerful factions because experts and their descendants relied on its pills. Its influence grew so immense that few dared oppose it.
• The Alliance actively recruited and trained talented alchemists to avoid a succession crisis, while severely punishing anyone who leaked formulas or taught outsiders.
• Chen Changan questions how the Boundary-Breaking Pill appeared outside the Alliance if all formulas were monopolized. The Qi Sect Master suggests it may have been discarded or obtained through an unusual opportunity.
• Chen regrets killing the pill’s former owner before extracting information and decides that obtaining pill formulas is now essential for strengthening the Heavenly Profound Sect.
• He orders the Qi Sect Master to investigate whether the original alchemy genius created new formulas or merely improved existing ones.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan shows increasing interest in alchemy as a means of rapidly improving his sect’s strength. He also becomes more suspicious of the forces controlling Ultimate Heaven.
• He considers whether the Alchemist Alliance was connected to his mysterious father, but concludes that its long-standing existence makes that unlikely.
• Chen instead suspects the Alliance may have been established—or at least preserved—as part of his father’s enemy’s broader method of controlling Ultimate Heaven.
• The Qi Sect Master serves as Chen’s source of historical information and agrees to investigate the origins of pill formulas.
• Da Huang raises the possibility that Chen’s father may be connected to the Alchemist Alliance, prompting Chen’s deeper analysis.

Significant Themes

• Monopoly and power: Control over alchemy and pill formulas allows the Alliance to influence the entire social and political structure of Ultimate Heaven.
• Knowledge as authority: By restricting access to formulas, the Alliance ensures that no independent alchemists or rival factions can challenge its dominance.
• Hidden manipulation: Chen suspects that the Alliance’s existence may be part of a larger scheme designed to restrain or control the experts of Ultimate Heaven.
• The vastness of the world: Chen realizes that even the regions he has explored are only a tiny portion of Ultimate Heaven, emphasizing the enormous scale of his future challenges.
• Progress through resources: Chen views alchemy as a practical tool for developing the Heavenly Profound Sect and increasing the strength of its members.

Character Interactions

• Chen enthusiastically encourages the Qi Sect Master to tell the story, revealing his curiosity and fondness for gossip.
• Da Huang privately suggests a connection between the Alchemist Alliance and Chen’s father.
• Chen challenges the Qi Sect Master with questions about the Alliance’s monopoly, its recruitment practices, and the origin of the Boundary-Breaking Pill.
• The Qi Sect Master admits his limited knowledge but accepts Chen’s request to gather more information, aligning the two characters toward obtaining valuable pill formulas.

Chapter Summary: Return to the Netherworld Mystic Realm

Key Plot Points and Events

• The mystery surrounding the pills remains unresolved. The Heavenly Profound Sect will investigate, but the process may be lengthy and may not produce definite answers.
• Chen Changan rejects the idea of creating his own pill formula, explaining that it would require extensive experimentation and distract from more urgent goals.
• With the Crusade Alliance destroyed and the news not yet widely known, Chen Changan identifies a limited opportunity to seize their former territories before rival factions can prepare.
• He proposes that the Heavenly Profound Sect cooperate with local forces: those forces will guard the territories, while profits are divided equally.
• Chen Changan assigns Mu Yunyao to lead the territorial expansion instead of participating personally. He emphasizes that the Heavenly Profound Sect must use overwhelming force initially to intimidate potential enemies and ensure their partners remain loyal.
• Chen Changan plans to return to the supposedly closed Netherworld Mystic Realm with Xiao Hei. His goal is to investigate the realm’s hidden secrets, particularly the identity of the being concealed within the River of Forgetfulness.
• After Chen Changan departs, Mu Yunyao takes charge of the Heavenly Profound Sect’s operations. She suppresses Da Huang’s exaggerated jealousy and orders everyone to begin their work.
• Chen Changan and Xiao Hei reach the Netherworld Mystic Realm, but the chapter ends with Xiao Hei asking how they will enter now that it has closed.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan demonstrates strategic foresight. Rather than wasting time on alchemy, he prioritizes expanding territory and strengthening the Heavenly Profound Sect while their enemies are unprepared.
• He also shows confidence in his allies by entrusting Mu Yunyao with a major military and political responsibility.
• Mu Yunyao takes on a more prominent leadership role. She understands Chen Changan’s intentions without demanding explanations and commits to carrying out his plans.
• Da Huang displays his usual dramatic, comic personality by pretending Chen Changan has replaced him with Xiao Hei. Despite his complaints, he quickly returns to work after Mu Yunyao disciplines him.
• Xiao Hei remains uncertain about the Netherworld Mystic Realm and fears being abandoned there, but he accepts Chen Changan’s decision to investigate it.
• Qi Sect Master shows practical trust in Chen Changan, choosing not to question his absence and relying on Mu Yunyao’s strength and judgment.

Significant Themes

• Seizing opportunity: Chen Changan recognizes that the Crusade Alliance’s destruction has created a temporary power vacuum that must be exploited quickly.
• Power and deterrence: Material benefits alone may not secure loyalty; Chen Changan believes potential allies must first be impressed and intimidated by overwhelming strength.
• Strategic cooperation: The Heavenly Profound Sect’s rise is connected to the fortunes of the Guan Family and Heavenly Origin Martial Grounds, emphasizing mutual advancement and long-term alliances.
• Trust and delegation: Chen Changan entrusts important responsibilities to his companions, allowing the group to function even when he is absent.
• Hidden mysteries: The Netherworld Mystic Realm and the River of Forgetfulness remain sources of unexplained secrets, motivating Chen Changan’s return despite the risks and inconvenience.

Character Interactions

• Da Huang questions Chen Changan about alchemy and later complains humorously about being replaced by Xiao Hei.
• Chen Changan explains his strategic plans to Da Huang, Zhan Tian, and Mu Yunyao, stressing the importance of speed, force, and cooperation.
• Mu Yunyao reassures Chen Changan that she understands her mission and tells him to be cautious, revealing mutual concern and trust.
• Mu Yunyao and Da Huang retain their familiar comedic dynamic: she reprimands and kicks him, while he immediately becomes obedient and ingratiating.
• Chen Changan and Xiao Hei discuss the purpose of returning to the Netherworld Mystic Realm, ending on the unresolved question of how they will gain entry.

Chapter Summary: “Guarding Was Also Protection”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Although the Netherworld Mystic Realm is supposedly closed, Chen Changan explains that its entrance remains connected to the outside world. Because of his unusual constitution, he is able to pass through the barrier.
• To bring Xiao Hei along, Chen Changan suggests that Xiao Hei merge with his body. Xiao Hei instead transforms into a black shadow and hides within Chen Changan’s shadow, allowing both of them to enter.
• They travel directly to the River of Forgetfulness, where they encounter the beast that previously served as a gatekeeper.
• The beast is visibly terrified upon seeing Xiao Hei and reacts far more strongly to him than to Chen Changan. When Xiao Hei orders it to lead them to the deepest part of the river, the beast immediately obeys.
• Deep beneath the River of Forgetfulness, they discover a hidden barrier enclosing a secluded courtyard and lake. There, they meet a middle-aged man who identifies himself not as the realm’s master, but as its guardian.
• The guardian reveals that the Netherworld Mystic Realm was created to “guard, and also protect” Xiao Hei. However, he claims not to know Xiao Hei’s true identity or even his original name.
• The chapter ends with the mystery unresolved: Xiao Hei was once referred to only as “it,” and the realm existed for an extremely long time specifically to protect him.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan demonstrates ingenuity by finding a way to reenter the closed mystic realm and by bringing Xiao Hei inside through the shadow connection.
• His determination to uncover Xiao Hei’s origins becomes clearer as he presses both the beast and the guardian for answers.
• Xiao Hei displays a mysterious authority over the creatures connected to the Netherworld Mystic Realm. His brief command is enough to frighten and control the beast, suggesting that his true identity is extremely significant.
• Xiao Hei also appears comfortable relying on Chen Changan, calling him “big brother” and cooperating with his plan.
• The beast shifts from an uncooperative and enigmatic figure into an obedient guide once Xiao Hei appears, revealing its fear and possible knowledge of him.
• The guardian is established as an ancient, emotionally restrained protector who knows part of Xiao Hei’s history but deliberately—or genuinely—cannot explain his origins.

Significant Themes

• Protection versus imprisonment: The mystic realm may have functioned both as a place of confinement and as a sanctuary for Xiao Hei.
• Identity and forgotten origins: Xiao Hei’s name, nature, and past remain unknown, emphasizing the mystery surrounding him.
• Hidden power and authority: Xiao Hei’s presence alone commands fear and obedience, hinting at immense or primordial power.
• Loyalty and companionship: Chen Changan continues to pursue dangerous answers on Xiao Hei’s behalf, while Xiao Hei trusts Chen Changan enough to follow him into the realm.
• The limits of knowledge: Even the realm’s guardian, who has watched over Xiao Hei for an immeasurable period, does not understand who or what he truly is.

Character Interactions

• Chen Changan and Xiao Hei cooperate closely to bypass the realm’s entrance, reinforcing their partnership.
• Chen Changan questions the beast directly, but Xiao Hei’s intervention is what finally makes it comply.
• The guardian speaks openly with Chen Changan but focuses much of his attention on Xiao Hei, indicating a deeper connection to him.
• Chen Changan acts protectively and inquisitively toward Xiao Hei, while Xiao Hei supports Chen Changan’s authority by ordering the beast to obey him.

Chapter Summary: The Mysterious Xiao Hei

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan interrogates the Netherworld Mystic Realm’s guardian about Xiao Hei’s origins and the realm’s history.
• The guardian explains that when the Netherworld Mystic Realm first appeared, it was an ordinary Small World comparable to Ultimate Heaven, though its cultivation ceiling was lower.
• At the moment Xiao Hei was born, everyone in the realm mysteriously vanished, and the entire realm transformed into its current state. The guardian was the only one left behind.
• The guardian does not know who created the realm or Xiao Hei’s true identity. He only knows that he was ordered to remain there and protect it.
• The guardian’s cultivation is limited to the peak of the Ultimate True Immortal Realm because the realm itself prevents further advancement.
• Although Xiao Hei has already left, the guardian believes he could theoretically regain his freedom. However, he chooses to remain, having become accustomed to the peaceful life of the mystic realm and alienated from the outside world.
• Chen Changan asks whether the realm once possessed alchemists and pill formulas. The guardian confirms that it did.
• Since the guardian has no use for the realm’s remaining resources, he permits Chen Changan to take whatever he wants and directs him toward the pill formulas.
• Before leaving, Chen Changan learns that even cultivators in Ultimate Heaven have finite lifespans. If they fail to advance before reaching their realm’s limit, their cultivation declines and they eventually die naturally.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan becomes increasingly convinced that Xiao Hei’s identity is extraordinarily mysterious. The simultaneous disappearance of the realm’s inhabitants and Xiao Hei’s birth suggests that Xiao Hei may be connected to the realm’s creation or transformation.
• Chen remains practical despite his curiosity. When he realizes the guardian cannot provide further information, he quickly shifts his attention to obtaining pill formulas and resources that could benefit the Heavenly Profound Sect.
• The Netherworld Mystic Realm’s guardian is revealed to be an ancient, isolated figure who has spent so long in the realm that he no longer remembers the outside world clearly.
• Though powerful, the guardian is trapped by the realm’s cultivation limit and has accepted a quiet, uneventful existence. He prefers remaining in familiar surroundings rather than returning to a dangerous and unfamiliar outside world.
• The guardian’s relationship with Chen is marked by mild irritation and reluctant cooperation, but he ultimately answers Chen’s questions and offers him assistance.

Significant Themes

• Mystery and hidden origins: Xiao Hei’s birth appears tied to a vast supernatural event, but neither Xiao Hei nor the guardian understands the truth.
• Isolation and adaptation: The guardian has become so accustomed to confinement that freedom itself feels uncomfortable and frightening.
• The limits of power and existence: Even a peak cultivator can be restricted by the laws of a world, and even the highest realms impose natural lifespan limits.
• Practical ambition versus cosmic mystery: Chen Changan is interested in uncovering Xiao Hei’s secrets, but he prioritizes tangible gains—especially pill formulas and resources to strengthen his sect.
• The burden of immortality: Long life is not necessarily desirable; endless existence without change, purpose, or companionship can become a form of suffering.

Character Interactions

• Chen repeatedly presses the guardian for more information, jokingly urging him to “squeeze out” every memory he has.
• The guardian responds with annoyance but continues explaining the realm’s past and his own circumstances.
• Chen challenges the adequacy of the guardian’s cultivation, questioning whether someone at the peak Ultimate True Immortal Realm is powerful enough to protect Xiao Hei.
• The guardian admits his ignorance but emphasizes that he merely followed orders and does not understand the larger plan.
• Their conversation shifts from Xiao Hei’s identity to alchemy, resources, lifespan, and the possibility of freedom.
• The guardian ultimately agrees to help Chen locate pill formulas and allows him to take the realm’s resources before Chen departs.

Chapter Summary: Excellence Etched on His Face

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan and Xiao Hei discuss Xiao Hei’s mysterious identity. Xiao Hei recalls being dormant only twice, with uncertain intervals of several hundred or thousand years. He also senses that the Netherworld Mystic Realm suppresses or restricts him.
• Chen reassures Xiao Hei that he will protect him regardless of his origins, though Xiao Hei must rely on himself for cultivation because Chen cannot explain or assist with his unusual advancement.
• They visit the ruins of the Netherworld Mystic Realm’s largest alchemy sect to obtain pill formulas. Chen finds six intact formulas stored in jade slips.
• Although the formulas are limited in quality because of the realm’s cultivation ceiling and restrictive laws, they are still useful for cultivators below or around the Ultimate True Immortal Realm.
• Xiao Hei feels increasingly uncomfortable in the Netherworld Mystic Realm and asks to leave. On their way out, Chen gathers various resources, while resources from the River of Forgetfulness are already prepared for them.
• Xiao Hei views the mystic realm as an oppressive prison rather than a meaningful birthplace. He reveals that Da Huang has been telling him stories about Chen’s past, including Chen’s brief experience in prison.
• Chen becomes embarrassed and warns Xiao Hei to spend less time with Da Huang, accusing Da Huang of trying to shape Xiao Hei into another companion like itself.
• After more than a year of travel, Chen and Xiao Hei return to the Heavenly Profound Sect.
• Qi Sect Master reports that Mu Yunyao has already conquered five territories while expanding the sect and is expected to complete the operation within three years.

Character Developments

• Xiao Hei: Shows growing independence and self-awareness. He questions his identity, recognizes the Netherworld Mystic Realm as a place of confinement, and becomes more comfortable expressing his opinions. His personality is also being influenced by Da Huang’s stories and playful threats.
• Chen Changan: Acts protectively toward Xiao Hei while investigating his origins. He remains practical, prioritizing the collection of pill formulas and resources. His humorous arrogance is highlighted when he boasts about being exceptionally talented from birth.
• Da Huang: Though absent, it remains influential through the stories and attitudes it has passed on to Xiao Hei. Chen suspects it is deliberately molding Xiao Hei into a similar, mischievous companion.
• Mu Yunyao: Her reputation as a powerful and forceful leader grows. Her aggressive expansion of the Heavenly Profound Sect demonstrates that she is at least as domineering as Chen, possibly even more so.
• Qi Sect Master: Is shocked to learn that Mu Yunyao was Chen’s master and that their relationship developed into romance. He reacts awkwardly to Chen’s shameless explanation.

Significant Themes

• Identity and origins: Xiao Hei’s uncertain creation and strange cultivation suggest that his true nature remains an important mystery.
• Protection and family: Chen promises to protect Xiao Hei regardless of his identity, reinforcing their brother-like bond.
• Freedom versus confinement: Xiao Hei’s description of the Netherworld Mystic Realm as a prison emphasizes his resentment toward the place and his desire to live freely outside it.
• The limits of cultivation and natural laws: The realm’s restrictions make alchemy and cultivation difficult, showing how heavenly laws shape what cultivators can achieve.
• Influence and upbringing: Da Huang’s stories and threats demonstrate how companions can shape Xiao Hei’s personality and worldview.
• Power and dominance: Mu Yunyao’s territorial conquests parallel Chen’s own assertive style, while Chen’s boasting adds a comedic perspective on talent and superiority.

Character Interactions

• Chen and Xiao Hei have a protective, familial relationship, with Chen offering reassurance while teasing and guiding him.
• Xiao Hei and Da Huang interact indirectly through Da Huang’s stories, revealing Da Huang’s manipulative but playful influence.
• Chen and Qi Sect Master discuss Mu Yunyao’s achievements, leading to Chen’s revelation that she was his master and later became his partner.
• Chen’s exaggerated self-praise leaves Qi Sect Master speechless, adding comedy to the chapter’s conclusion.

Chapter Summary: “The Effects of the Pill Formulas”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan asks Qi Sect Master about the investigation into the ancient pill formulas. Qi admits that little progress has been made because the matter is old, information is scarce, and people fear angering the powerful Alchemist Alliance.
• Chen tells Qi to stop investigating temporarily so they do not attract unwanted attention.
• He reveals that during his recent journey, he obtained six pill formulas in the Netherworld Mystic Realm:

Profound Origin Pill

Heavenly Spirit Pill

True Spirit Pill

Essence-Nourishing Pill

Golden Marrow Pill

Heaven-Restoring Pill

• Chen explains that he may be able to refine them, though he must first test whether the laws of Ultimate Heaven impose any restrictions.
• Qi becomes extremely excited because the Heavenly Profound Sect has long been cut off from pills due to the Alchemist Alliance’s dominance.
• Chen describes the effects and limitations of each pill:
  • The Profound Origin Pill grants roughly one hundred years of cultivation.
  • The Heavenly Spirit Pill allows cultivators in the Ultimate Mortal Transformation Realm to advance one layer, up to three times, though lower-quality pills may damage future potential.
  • The True Spirit Pill restores a significant portion of depleted energy, especially for cultivators at the Ultimate Immortal Ascension Realm or below.
  • The Essence-Nourishing Pill slowly strengthens spiritual power, can be taken repeatedly once every five years, but eventually becomes ineffective at higher levels.
  • The Golden Marrow Pill increases a person’s potential, though the degree varies by individual.
  • The Heaven-Restoring Pill heals injuries.
• Chen emphasizes that the formulas are mainly useful for cultivators at the Ultimate True Immortal Realm and below, but they are still more than sufficient to transform the Heavenly Profound Sect.
• He asks Qi to prepare a quiet place so he can enter seclusion and study the formulas.

Character Development

• Chen Changan remains practical and cautious. Although he recognizes the enormous value of the formulas, he refuses to celebrate prematurely and insists on testing his ability to refine them.
• Qi Sect Master is initially ashamed of the failed investigation but quickly becomes overwhelmed with excitement. His reaction reflects both his lack of access to pills and his growing hope for the sect’s future.
• Qi also provides comic relief by pretending to recognize the pill names, prompting Chen to mock him when he admits he knows nothing about them.

Significant Themes

• Power and monopoly: The Alchemist Alliance’s influence is so great that even distant rumors about pill formulas are suppressed by fear.
• Opportunity and advancement: The formulas represent a major shortcut for the Heavenly Profound Sect, potentially allowing it to reach realms it once considered impossible.
• Caution versus ambition: Qi immediately imagines the sect’s future glory, while Chen stresses that possessing formulas does not guarantee successful refinement.
• Potential and fate: The discussion of the Heavenly Spirit Pill raises the idea that a person’s future is not permanently determined by present circumstances; later opportunities can overcome temporary setbacks.
• Resources as strategic power: The pills could change not only individual cultivation but also the sect’s ability to survive battles, recover from injuries, and compete in prolonged conflicts.

Character Interactions

• Chen and Qi have a familiar, humorous dynamic. Qi’s exaggerated reaction and attempt to appear knowledgeable are undercut by Chen’s blunt sarcasm.
• Despite the teasing, Qi deeply trusts Chen and immediately offers to personally arrange a secluded place for his research.
• Their conversation shifts from disappointment over the failed investigation to optimism about the sect’s future, with Chen supplying realistic limitations and Qi representing enthusiastic ambition.

Chapter Summary: Making Pills Was Actually This Troublesome

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qi Sect Master arranges a secluded location within the Heavenly Profound Sect for Chen Changan to refine pills and eagerly observes him, expecting him to use a pill furnace.
• Chen reveals that he has never used or even seen a pill furnace and intends to test whether he can refine pills without one.
• He begins refining a Profound Origin Pill using materials obtained from the Netherworld Mystic Realm, but discovers that purifying ingredients in Ultimate Heaven is unexpectedly difficult.
• Chen realizes the main obstacle is not the absence of a furnace but the insufficient power of his flames.
• He summons Gou Sheng, who has recently completed an evolution into an “Upgraded Annihilation Fire.” Despite initially resisting the interruption of his time with his wife, Gou Sheng agrees to help.
• Gou Sheng’s flame form possesses expressive emotions, surprising Qi Sect Master and adding comic relief.
• Even Gou Sheng struggles to refine the materials, confirming that the laws or properties of Ultimate Heaven make pill refinement unusually difficult.
• Gou Sheng explains that a pill furnace is necessary to preserve the medicinal potency of ingredients refined at different times. Without one, the final pill’s success rate and quality would be severely reduced.
• Chen and Qi Sect Master discuss ways to obtain a furnace. Since pill furnaces are largely controlled by the powerful Alchemist Alliance, they consider forging one themselves or searching ancient ruins.
• They recall that the Netherworld Mystic Realm contained pill formulas but no pill furnaces. Chen suspects their absence may have been deliberate, though he cannot determine why.
• Chen decides to investigate both pill-furnace forging methods and nearby ancient ruins.

Character Development

• Chen Changan: Demonstrates confidence and resourcefulness but is forced to acknowledge the limitations of his abilities in Ultimate Heaven. He becomes more cautious and strategic, recognizing that pill refinement requires specialized tools and preparation.
• Qi Sect Master: Shows enthusiasm and curiosity about pill refinement, acting as an eager observer. His suggestion about revisiting the Netherworld Mystic Realm helps Chen identify possible leads.
• Gou Sheng: Reveals that his evolution has greatly improved him, though the vague title “Upgraded Annihilation Fire” becomes a joke. He remains proud, temperamental, and attached to his wife, but ultimately obeys Chen and proves capable of refining the materials.
• Chen and Gou Sheng’s relationship: Their exchange is marked by playful threats, insults, and mutual familiarity. Chen depends on Gou Sheng’s strength, while Gou Sheng complains but still assists him.

Significant Themes

• The difficulty of adapting to a new world: Chen’s previously effective pill-refining methods no longer work easily under Ultimate Heaven’s laws.
• The importance of tools and specialized knowledge: Even powerful cultivators cannot ignore technical requirements such as pill furnaces, proper storage, and suitable flames.
• Resource scarcity and monopoly: The Alchemist Alliance’s control over pill furnaces highlights how valuable resources can be concentrated in powerful organizations.
• Mystery and hidden interference: The disappearance of the furnaces from the Netherworld Mystic Realm suggests deliberate concealment or manipulation, introducing a possible future conflict.
• Humor amid practical problems: Gou Sheng’s expressive flame form, his complaints about being interrupted, and Chen’s blunt responses keep the frustrating situation comedic.

Character Interactions

• Qi Sect Master excitedly questions Chen about his methods, while Chen responds with restrained exasperation.
• Chen summons Gou Sheng and threatens him into helping, leading to a humorous argument about Gou Sheng’s relationship with his wife.
• Qi Sect Master is astonished that Gou Sheng, despite being a flame, can display emotions and speak proudly of himself.
• Gou Sheng’s failure to effortlessly refine the materials confirms Chen’s concerns and causes the two to reassess their approach.
• Chen and Qi Sect Master work together to plan two investigative paths: discovering how to forge a pill furnace and searching for ancient ruins that may contain one.

Chapter Summary: “Hongchen Awakens”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gou Sheng completes a long evolution into a more advanced form of Annihilation Fire, likely triggered by Ultimate Heaven’s environment. Although stronger, he still struggles to refine materials efficiently and believes he can continue evolving.
• Chen Changan remains frustrated because his alchemy techniques, once effortless, are hindered in Ultimate Heaven. He lacks an alchemy furnace, while the newly established Alchemist Alliance monopolizes alchemical resources and equipment.
• With no immediate missions or useful news, Chen Changan decides to cultivate and wait. Xiao Hei grows bored and asks for something to do.
• Hongchen suddenly awakens and reveals that her memories were not inherited but sealed. Her arrival in Ultimate Heaven caused the seals to loosen.
• Hongchen remembers that she was born in Ultimate Heaven, was subdued by Chen Changan’s father—the previous Sword Master—and was later sent away with her memories and sharpness sealed.
• She cannot yet recover information about Chen Changan’s father or the precise laws of Ultimate Heaven, but she may know how to obtain an alchemy furnace.
• Hongchen spends three days organizing her fragmented memories. She confirms that conventional access to a furnace would likely require joining the Alchemist Alliance, something Chen Changan is unlikely to do, but hints that she knows an alternative method.
• The chapter ends with Hongchen teasing Chen Changan by deliberately delaying the explanation, imitating Da Huang’s playful manner.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan: His confidence in alchemy is shaken by Ultimate Heaven’s unusual conditions. He becomes dependent on others for solutions and shows impatience while waiting for Hongchen’s memories.
• Gou Sheng: Grows significantly stronger through evolution and discovers that he still has room for further advancement. Despite his power, he remains affectionate and domestic, prioritizing time with his wife.
• Hongchen: Experiences a major revelation about her identity and origins. She learns that she is native to Ultimate Heaven and has a deep connection to Chen Changan’s father, though much of her past remains inaccessible.
• Xiao Hei: Displays loyalty and eagerness to help, but becomes restless because Chen Changan has no task to assign him.

Significant Themes

• Hidden origins and recovered memory: Hongchen’s awakening introduces the idea that characters’ true identities and histories may be concealed by seals or forgotten memories.
• Adaptation to a higher realm: Ultimate Heaven alters abilities and imposes harsh, unfamiliar laws, forcing Chen Changan and his companions to adapt.
• Limits of mastery: Chen Changan’s effortless alchemy is no longer sufficient, showing that even great expertise can be challenged by a new environment.
• Companionship and humor: The characters support one another through uncertainty, while teasing and domestic affection lighten the tension.

Character Interactions

• Chen Changan questions Gou Sheng about his evolution and warns him not to die, while Gou Sheng jokingly reassures him before returning to his wife.
• Xiao Hei asks Chen Changan for a task, but Chen has nothing useful for him to do.
• Chen and Hongchen discuss her origins, her connection to Chen’s father, Ultimate Heaven’s laws, and the alchemy-furnace problem.
• Hongchen recognizes Chen’s mood and personality, correctly predicting that he would reject joining the Alchemist Alliance.
• Their conversation becomes playful and teasing when Hongchen intentionally withholds the solution, prompting Chen to accuse her of copying Da Huang.

Chapter Summary: “Fallen Land”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan questions Hongchen about the alchemy furnace. She vaguely recalls that it may be located in a ruin called the Fallen Land, formerly a relatively prosperous territory in Ultimate Heaven.
• Hongchen explains that the Fallen Land was mysteriously destroyed and is now extremely dangerous, though her fragmented memories cannot reveal the exact nature of the threat.
• Chen Changan reports this lead to Qi Sect Master, who recognizes the Fallen Land and reveals that it is only about two years away from the River of Forgetfulness Territory.
• Qi Sect Master says the Fallen Land suddenly appeared without explanation and has become a forbidden zone. Everyone who has entered—including experts at the peak of the Ultimate True Immortal Realm—has reportedly died or disappeared.
• Although Chen Changan reassures Qi Sect Master that he will not act recklessly, he secretly decides to investigate the Fallen Land himself.
• He takes Xiao Hei and leaves the Heavenly Profound Sect without informing anyone. They quickly locate the Fallen Land’s exact position.
• Qi Sect Master later discovers Chen Changan is missing and realizes he has probably gone to the Fallen Land. He becomes extremely anxious, especially because Chen Changan cannot easily be pursued and Mu Yunyao and the others are about to return.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan: Demonstrates his usual boldness and independence. Despite understanding the danger, he prioritizes finding the alchemy furnace and quietly sets out rather than waiting for further information.
• Hongchen: Her memories remain incomplete, but she provides the crucial name of the Fallen Land and confirms that it may contain the furnace.
• Qi Sect Master: Shows deep concern for Chen Changan’s safety. He views Chen Changan as an exceptionally valuable genius and becomes increasingly distressed after realizing Chen has acted against his warning.
• Xiao Hei: Cheerfully agrees to accompany Chen Changan, treating the dangerous journey almost like an adventure.
• Mu Yunyao and the others: Do not appear directly, but their impending return increases Qi Sect Master’s anxiety because he fears being held responsible if Chen Changan is harmed.

Significant Themes

• Recklessness versus caution: Chen Changan accepts enormous risks, while Qi Sect Master emphasizes survival and preparation.
• Mystery and uncertainty: The Fallen Land’s sudden appearance, unknown origins, and connection to Chen Changan’s father or possible enemies raise questions about whether it is an opportunity or a trap.
• Pursuit of power and resources: The possible alchemy furnace motivates Chen Changan to enter a place even powerful immortals have failed to survive.
• Responsibility and protection: Qi Sect Master’s fear reflects the burden of protecting an extraordinary but uncontrollable talent.
• Fragmented memory and hidden history: Hongchen’s incomplete recollections suggest that the Fallen Land’s true past—and its relationship to the present—remains concealed.

Character Interactions

• Chen Changan and Hongchen discuss the Fallen Land, with Chen pressing her for details despite her uncertain memory.
• Chen and Qi Sect Master have a serious conversation in which Qi warns him not to approach the forbidden zone; Chen outwardly reassures him but privately decides to go.
• Chen and Xiao Hei depart together, with Xiao Hei responding enthusiastically to the journey.
• Qi Sect Master’s later reaction reveals his strong protective concern for Chen and his growing frustration at Chen’s refusal to remain safely within the sect.

Chapter Summary: “Fulfilling Your Bond”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mu Yunyao reports to Qi Sect Master that the Heavenly Profound Sect has taken control of territories belonging to twenty factions. The territories have been distributed among allied factions, which will provide resources to the sect annually. The operation succeeded without casualties.
• Qi Sect Master remains troubled because Elder Chen has secretly departed for the extremely dangerous Fallen Land.
• The group learns that Chen Changan likely went there to obtain a powerful Alchemy Furnace needed to refine a particularly difficult pill. He may have acquired the relevant pill formula in the Netherworld Mystic Realm.
• Zhan Tian explains that the Fallen Land is considered one of the most dangerous places in existence. Even a Zhan Family expert above the Ultimate True Immortal Realm entered it and died, as confirmed by the destruction of his Soul Jade.
• Despite the danger, Mu Yunyao, Da Huang, and the others show complete confidence in Chen Changan’s survival and refuse to pursue him. They believe he is strong enough to handle the Fallen Land alone and that they would arrive too late to help.
• Mu Yunyao redirects everyone’s attention toward strengthening the Heavenly Profound Sect. Its newly acquired territory cannot be held through intimidation alone; the sect must develop enough power to maintain control independently.
• Back at their residence, Da Huang anxiously considers going to the Fallen Land, but Mu Yunyao stops him. He then reveals that he is actually more interested in visiting a brothel. When Mu Yunyao sarcastically grants him permission to go to the Fallen Land “for the sake of his bond” with Chen Changan, Da Huang awkwardly insists that he wants to honor that bond.

Character Developments

• Mu Yunyao demonstrates calm confidence in Chen Changan and strong leadership. She prioritizes the Heavenly Profound Sect’s long-term stability over emotional worry and reminds the others that they must eventually rely on their own strength.
• Qi Sect Master feels responsible for failing to stop Chen Changan from leaving and remains deeply concerned about his safety, though he suppresses his anxiety after seeing Mu Yunyao’s confidence.
• Zhan Tian reveals more about his family’s immense power and his knowledge of the Fallen Land. His account establishes the location’s extraordinary danger.
• Da Huang remains impulsive, irreverent, and comedic. He pretends to want to rescue Chen Changan but is primarily eager to visit a brothel. His exaggerated concern nevertheless suggests genuine loyalty and affection toward Chen Changan.
• Chen Changan, though absent from the chapter, is characterized as exceptionally powerful, independent, and confident enough to enter a place where even top experts have perished.

Significant Themes

• Confidence in exceptional strength: The group’s lack of fear emphasizes Chen Changan’s near-invincible reputation.
• Responsibility and self-reliance: Mu Yunyao stresses that the sect cannot depend forever on Chen Changan or intimidation; its members must cultivate enough strength to protect their expanding domain.
• Loyalty and bonds: Da Huang’s claims about wanting to support Chen Changan are humorously questioned, but the discussion highlights the importance of their relationship.
• Danger versus casual humor: The Fallen Land is presented as deadly, yet the characters discuss it with surprising ease, creating a contrast between the setting’s seriousness and Da Huang’s comedic behavior.
• Leadership and expansion: The Heavenly Profound Sect’s growing influence brings not only resources but also the obligation to maintain control through genuine power.

Character Interactions

• Mu Yunyao reassures Qi Sect Master that Chen Changan will return, while Da Huang mocks his excessive concern.
• Zhan Tian questions the group about Chen Changan’s strength and the purpose of his journey, prompting discussion of the Fallen Land and the Zhan Family’s losses.
• Mu Yunyao firmly rejects the idea of sending anyone after Chen Changan and instead instructs the sect leaders to focus on cultivation.
• Da Huang attempts to manipulate Mu Yunyao by disguising his desire to visit a brothel as concern for Chen Changan, but she immediately sees through him and teases him in return.

Chapter Summary: “I Like Bullying People Too”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan arrives at the outskirts of the dangerous Fallen Land and finds more than a hundred people waiting there.
• The gathered cultivators explain that resources periodically fly out of the forbidden zone. They wait for these opportunities, hoping to obtain treasures they can sell for Extreme Origin Stones or auction for wealth.
• Although the group claims to follow civilized rules—allowing each person to obtain one resource before the process begins again—a member of the powerful Hua Household openly violates them.
• The Hua Household’s young master forcibly takes a spiritual herb from another cultivator and then destroys it, declaring that he can bully everyone because nobody dares offend his family.
• Chen Changan challenges him after being included in the young master’s contemptuous statement.
• Chen criticizes him for relying on the Hua Household’s influence instead of his own abilities and declares that he also enjoys bullying people—but relies on his personal strength.
• The young master, confident in his superior cultivation, accepts the challenge. Chen immediately defeats him with a single enormous palm strike, smashing him into a deep crater.
• The onlookers are shocked by the overwhelming defeat and worry that Chen’s actions will provoke retaliation from the Hua Household.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan: Reveals his strong sense of justice and disdain for arrogant bullies who exploit their backgrounds. He remains calm and humorous while confronting the Hua Household, then demonstrates overwhelming combat power far beyond what his cultivation level suggests.
• Hua Household’s young master: Is portrayed as arrogant, entitled, and cruel. He abuses his family’s reputation to intimidate weaker cultivators and destroys a resource simply because he does not value it. His confidence collapses when Chen defeats him effortlessly.
• The gathered cultivators: Initially present themselves as orderly and cooperative, but their fear of the Hua Household exposes the limits of their “rules.” They resent injustice but lack the courage or backing to resist openly.

Significant Themes

• Power versus justice: Rules are respected only when powerful individuals agree to follow them; the Hua Household’s influence allows its members to act above those rules.
• Inherited status versus personal ability: Chen condemns the young master for depending on his family rather than earning strength through his own efforts.
• The courage to oppose oppression: While everyone else silently tolerates the young master’s behavior, Chen refuses to remain uninvolved once he is personally included.
• Hidden strength and underestimated individuals: Chen appears to be only at the Second Layer of the Ultimate Immortal Ascension Realm, but his actual combat ability vastly exceeds expectations.
• The hypocrisy of “civilization”: The crowd’s peaceful system functions only among people of comparable standing; fear of powerful factions undermines the fairness they claim to uphold.

Character Interactions

• Chen questions the waiting cultivators about their purpose and learns about the Fallen Land’s periodic resource outflows.
• A cultivator confidently explains the group’s rules, only to be embarrassed when Chen points out a fight occurring nearby.
• The crowd identifies the aggressor as the Hua Household’s young master and explains why nobody dares oppose him.
• Chen directly confronts the young master, mocking his dependence on the Hua Household and challenging his claim to power.
• The young master accepts Chen’s challenge out of arrogance, but Chen defeats him instantly, dramatically shifting the power dynamic and shocking everyone present.

Chapter Summary: Entering the Fallen Land

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan defeats the Hua Household’s young master with a single palm strike, shocking everyone because of the vast apparent difference in cultivation.
• When the young master’s companions threaten him, Chen Changan kills the young master with one sword slash and then wipes out the remaining Hua Household members.
• The witnesses fear that Chen Changan will silence them, but he assures them that he has no interest in killing them or interfering with their search for resources.
• The onlookers warn Chen Changan not to enter the Fallen Land, explaining that even peak Ultimate True Immortals rarely return alive. Some offer to give him all the resources found outside in hopes of forming a favorable connection with him.
• Chen Changan rejects their advice, accepting their goodwill but insisting on entering. His goals are to find an Alchemy Furnace and investigate the origins of the Fallen Land’s danger.
• Upon entering, he encounters two terrifying lingering pressures, which he identifies as remnants of sword and spear techniques. He speculates that a battle between two supreme experts may have devastated the region.
• Hongchen confirms that an Alchemy Furnace is somewhere within the Fallen Land but cannot identify its exact location. Chen Changan begins searching the vast, desolate ruins.
• Xiao Hei suddenly senses that an unseen presence is nearby, creating a new threat at the chapter’s end.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan: Demonstrates overwhelming combat power, decisiveness, and fearlessness by exterminating the Hua Household group and entering the infamous Fallen Land without hesitation. He also shows curiosity about ancient history and confidence in his own abilities.
• The witnesses: Initially terrified of Chen Changan, they gradually recognize him as an extraordinary and potentially future-dominant genius. Their attempts to dissuade him are partly motivated by genuine concern and partly by a desire to cultivate a future relationship with him.
• Hongchen: Provides limited but important knowledge, confirming the existence of the Alchemy Furnace while admitting that her memories contain no further details about the Fallen Land.
• Xiao Hei: Displays heightened sensitivity, detecting a nearby presence before Chen Changan does.

Significant Themes

• Overwhelming strength and reputation: Chen Changan’s actions challenge everyone’s assumptions about cultivation levels and establish him as a monstrous genius.
• Fear versus conviction: While others are paralyzed by the Fallen Land’s reputation, Chen Changan follows his own purpose without being influenced by public opinion.
• Cause and mystery of destruction: The sword- and spear-shaped pressures suggest that the Fallen Land’s ruin was caused by an ancient battle between powerful experts.
• Pragmatic alliances: The witnesses offer resources not purely out of kindness, but to establish a connection with someone they believe may become immensely powerful.
• The unknown danger: Despite Chen Changan’s confidence, the unseen presence hints that the Fallen Land contains threats beyond its lingering pressures.

Character Interactions

• Chen Changan verbally rebuffs the Hua Household members before killing them.
• He reassures the frightened witnesses that he will not harm them and tells them not to interfere with his decision.
• The witnesses repeatedly warn him about the Fallen Land and offer him their resources, but he politely declines their proposal.
• Chen Changan questions Hongchen about her knowledge of the region and the Alchemy Furnace.
• After Xiao Hei senses something nearby, Chen Changan questions him, signaling the group’s first encounter with a possible hidden enemy.

Chapter Summary: Sword Soul, Sword Force

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan encounters a powerful sword soul formed from the Sword Force permeating the Fallen Land.
• Warned by Hongchen that the sword soul is extremely formidable, Chen Changan challenges it directly.
• The battle becomes an even clash between their Sword Forces. Chen Changan gradually unleashes his full strength, eager to test his abilities without relying solely on his nearly indestructible physique.
• The fight lasts three days and three nights. Chen Changan’s immense endurance and rapid recovery contrast with the sword soul’s finite energy, which cannot replenish itself.
• Chen Changan eventually destroys the sword soul. Its remaining Sword Force enters his body, merges with his Sword Intent, and significantly strengthens his combat power—nearly doubling it, though his cultivation level does not increase.
• Realizing that defeating sword souls grants him their Sword Force, Chen Changan decides to continue killing them while searching for the missing Alchemy Furnace.
• He encounters numerous sword souls throughout the Sword Force-dominated region of the Fallen Land.
• Xiao Hei notices that, despite the existence of both Sword Force and Spear Force in the Fallen Land, no spear souls have appeared.
• Chen Changan explains that the two forces occupy separate territories: they oppose each other while maintaining distinct domains. The current area belongs to the Sword Force.
• Since no treasures or the Alchemy Furnace have appeared, Chen Changan begins to suspect that the furnace may no longer exist. Hongchen insists that it is still present and urges him to search more carefully.
• The chapter ends with Chen Changan questioning whether Hongchen knows more about the Alchemy Furnace than she has revealed.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan demonstrates confidence without recklessness. Although he knows his physique makes him extremely difficult to kill, he deliberately seeks a battle based on pure strength and swordsmanship.
• His desire to improve beyond his physical advantages reveals his ambition and self-awareness. He understands that invulnerability alone would make him merely an unkillable prisoner, whereas true power requires both a powerful body and overwhelming strength.
• By absorbing the sword soul’s Sword Force, Chen Changan’s combat ability grows dramatically, and his Sword Intent becomes sharper and more aggressive.
• Hongchen continues acting as Chen Changan’s guide and advisor. She admits the sword soul is powerful but does not know its exact limits. She also learns to use Chen Changan’s own principles—such as refusing to leave empty-handed—to persuade him to continue exploring.
• Xiao Hei shows growing intelligence and independence by identifying the absence of spear souls and questioning the structure of the Fallen Land.

Significant Themes

• Strength beyond natural advantages: Chen Changan refuses to depend entirely on his extraordinary physique and seeks genuine combat power.
• Growth through battle: Defeating powerful opponents directly improves Chen Changan’s Sword Intent and combat strength.
• The unknown history of the Fallen Land: The familiar quality of the Sword Force makes Chen Changan wonder whether those who transformed the Fallen Land were connected to his past, his father, or former acquaintances.
• Division and balance: The Sword Force and Spear Force coexist in opposition, each controlling a separate region of the Fallen Land.
• Hidden truths and incomplete knowledge: Hongchen’s certainty about the Alchemy Furnace raises suspicion that she may be withholding information.
• Danger concealed in ruins: Although the Fallen Land appears destroyed and barren, its lingering forces and sword souls make it an extremely lethal forbidden zone.

Important Character Interactions

• Chen Changan and the sword soul: Their prolonged duel serves as both a physical confrontation and a test of sword mastery, ending with Chen Changan absorbing the sword soul’s power.
• Chen Changan and Hongchen: They discuss the sword soul’s strength, Chen Changan’s reliance on his physique, the significance of the absorbed Sword Force, and the need to keep searching for the Alchemy Furnace.
• Chen Changan and Xiao Hei: Xiao Hei’s question about the missing spear souls leads to an explanation of the Fallen Land’s divided Sword Force and Spear Force territories.
• Chen Changan and Hongchen at the conclusion: Chen Changan becomes suspicious of Hongchen’s firm claim that the Alchemy Furnace remains nearby, suggesting a future revelation or conflict over what she knows.